NBA: Westbrook out for 27 games, but Thunder edge out Bobcats anyway

CHARLOTTE (AFP) - NBA scoring leader Kevin Durant had game highs of 34 points and 12 rebounds to give Oklahoma City an 89-85 victory on Friday at Charlotte in the Thunder's first game without injured Russell Westbrook.

Swiss guard Thabo Sefolosha and Spanish forward Serge Ibaka each added 12 points while Kendrick Perkins contributed 10 rebounds as the Thunder improved to 24-5, matching Portland for the best record in the National Basketball Association.

Oklahoma City will host Portland on Tuesday.

Reggie Jackson had 10 points on 4-of-19 shooting in his first game starting for the Thunder since the team announced that star playmaker Westbrook would be sidelined until at least mid-February following arthroscopic right knee surgery conducted on Friday.

Charlotte's Josh McRoberts missed a three-point attempt and Sefolosha hit two final free throws with 3.5 seconds to play to seal Oklahoma City's triumph.

Over 25 games this season, Westbrook has averaged 21.3 points, six rebounds and a team-high seven assists for Oklahoma City. But he is expected to miss 27 games as a result of his third procedure on the right knee this year.

The Straits Times

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